Sharing all things wild with all of you -- teacher, parent & child!

About "Your Own Backyard"

"Your Own Backyard” originated with the idea of taking kids where they are at -- with their video/digital games, personal computers and modern-day mobile devices -- and enticing them back into the world of nature.Using high-technologies to stimulate curiosity of the natural world, the hope is that children will take that curiosity out-of-doors, into their own backyards, where it can develop into passion for Mother Earth’s abundant flora & fauna. We’re hoping for a kind of feedback loop, where curiosity, fed by high-tech resources will inspire backyard passion, breeding further curiosity that just MUST find answers -- back to the resources and back out for playful adventure -- and so forth and so on.​It isn’t all high-tech! “Your Own Backyard” absolutely loves stories and games! In days gone by people understood the power in stories and games to pass knowledge and understanding on to their young. It is by means of these early technologies, in concert with high-tech, that we deliver the content -- nature awareness activities and species-specific information. All products provided by “Your Own Backyard” invite playful imagination and seek to enhance young people’s direct experience of, and ultimate love for, nature. Together, let's celebrate life! Let us connect with all that Mother Earth has to offer!

Suzanne Matheson

Visionary of "Your Own Backyard" and a certified Shinrin-yoku guide through The Association of Nature & Forest Therapy, Suzanne has two very strong passions -- spending time with the natural world and creating stories in words and pictures. She is inspired by the stories nature tells and loves to share these stories with you! ​​When she grows up she would like to be a White-tailed Deer.

Steve Matheson

Game and interactive media developer for "Your Own Backyard", Steve is an occasional writer, constant reader, enthusiastic photographer, and an avid movie trivia nerd. His ambition is to create cool interactive books for kids (and for adults who are smart enough to enjoy books for kids!)

Deli Matheson

Leading "Your Own Backyard" nose-first into mischief, mystery, and discovery, Deli (alias McGuffin), enjoys Crazy Egg, chasing rabbits, car rides, posing for paintings, and scrimshaw. Her ambition is to get her driver's licence before she turns seven.She lives with her owners - scratch that! - pets, "Fight Club" and "Mayor Dullboy". She delights in having you join us on our many adventure!